Around the Island
Argostoli
The capital of the island, ideal for shopping and sitting back and watching the world go by.
Argostoli has been the capital of Kefalonia since 1757. The earthquake of 1953 destroyed almost all of the buildings although a few Venetian examples remain. Argostoli was rebuilt and is now quite a modern cosmopolitan town. However, building has continued in the tradition of the old town in that it is generally tasteful and well maintained.
Shopping
The main shopping area is on the pedestrianised Lithostroto and adjacent streets. Shops are open 09.00 – 14.00, Monday to Saturdays, closed Sundays and public holidays. They are open from 17.30 –21.30 on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings only. Supermarkets are open throughout the day (Monday to Saturday) as is the excellent fruit and vegetable market on the water front. For fresh meat and fish, visit the butchers and fishmongers as supermarkets have mainly frozen produce.
Eating & Drinking
Along the town’s waterfront is where most of the traditional tavernas and Kafeneions are located, whilst the Vallianou Square and adjacent streets provide a wider selection of restaurants. After dinner, join the locals in watching the world go by from one of the “zakaroplastia” where you can enjoy coffee and some of the wonderful cakes and ice cream on offer.
For something livelier and ‘people watching, try one of the square’s café-bars, particularly on a Friday or Saturday night when it is time to par take in the Volta. Dress in your finest threads and, heads held high parade very, very slowly around the town checking everyone else out as they will be doing you!
The Drapano Bridge
This narrow causeway was built in 1813 by the Swiss-born Col.Charles de Bossett, Governor of the island between 1810 and 1814. The initial construction took two weeks to complete and was made of wooden arcades with a total length of 900 metres. Later, stone foundations were laid whilst the openings were bridged with oak beams. In 1842 the Governor Bar Everton rebuilt the bridge replacing the wooden arcades with stones giving the bridge its present day appearance, although the retaining wall is now missing in places. The obelisk at the centre of the bridge commemorates de Bossett & the construction date of the bridge.
Katavothres
At Katavothres (which means, “swallow holes”) the sea water drains into the rocks. In the 1950’s an enterprising Austrian geologist, keen to find where the water was going to, poured some 600 litres of dye into the holes and kept watch around the island for its reappearance. Two weeks later, the die emerged in the Melissani Lake and later drained back to sea on the coast at Karavo
Lassi
Golden sandy beaches, secluded bays, tranquil turquoise waters
Lassi is the closest resort to the island’s capital of Argostoli, only a 2 minutes drive away. It is a purpose built resort which boasts some of the best sandy beaches on the island, including Platis Yialos (wide beach) and Makris Yialos (long beach), both of which have been awarded the European Blue Flag award for cleanliness and facilities. However, these will be amongst the busiest beaches you will find on the island. Water sports are available on Makris Yialos.
The main road of Lassi stretches for approximately 2 kilometres, along which you will find a variety of tavernas, restaurants and bars. There are many mini-markets selling almost everything you will need from food to sun tan lotion.
Gentilini Winery
Along the coast road between the airport and Lassi is the Gentilini winery. This boutique winery is open to the public Monday to Saturday from 10.30am – 14.00pm and 18.00pm – 20.30pm between June and September and by appointment at other times. The owners give a very interesting tour of the premises and information on their wine making process.
Robola is amongst the small selection of wines produced and whilst not officially labelled organic, they are produced using virtually no chemicals. Their white wine has been granted an Appellation of Superior Quality only when grown on Kefalonia. The tour finishes with a generous tasting session and the opportunity to purchase some of their fabulous wines.
Agios Theodoros Lighthouse
The Fanari road, which links Lassi with the capital, is home to the pretty circular lighthouse of Agios Theodoros which, was originally built in 1829. It offers wonderful views of the Lixouri peninsula and is a great place to watch the sunset.
Acqui Division Memorial
This sits on the hill above the Agios Theodoros lighthouse and commemorates the thousands of Italian soldiers executed on the island by the Germans during the 2nd World War.
Petani Beach
Similar to Myrtos is the lovely shingle beach at Petani. It is reached via a steep and winding road. There are two tavernas on the beach and sunbeds are available. There is also a Café bar above the beach which offers some of the best views of the sunset on the island.
The villages around Petani lie amongst rolling hills pine trees and terraces, and this area is one the prettiest and most unspoilt on the island.
Leaving the Paliki peninsula by road, you will pass the old British prison and the coastal marshlands of Livadi which are home to numerous wetland birds and plants.
Lixouri
Take the ferry from Argostoli to experience an even slower pace of life.
Kefalonia’s second largest town is Lixouri on the Paliki peninsula, which forms the southwestern side of Kefalonia. The town’s sea front offers a good choice of tavernas, whilst the square hosts a number of cafes. A regular car ferry service connects Argostoli with Lixouri everyday, half hourly in high season and hourly in early and late season. Tickets are purchased on board. The town has around 4000 inhabitants and was totally reconstructed after the earthquake of 1953. A small stream divides the town into two parts. On the sea front the visitor can see the statue of Andreas Laskaratos, the satirical poet born in Lixouri, turning his back to Argostoli and the rest of Kefalonia as an original Lixouriot. He says in one of his poems “when God created the world, Lixouri first and then all the rest of the earth”.
Beaches to the south of Lixouri are Lepada, Megas Lakkos, Petani and the red sand beach at Xi (pronounced ksee) whose clay is said to have rejuvenating qualities when applied to the skin. Indeed the clay soil characterises the peninsula, which was known as the granary of the island. It also provides good vine-growing conditions and there is a winery at Manzavinata (open daily 10am – 2pm and 6pm – 8pm).
Although there are signposts for Kounopetra, which means, “rocking stone”, it can be a little difficult to locate as, since the 1953 earthquake, it no longer moves!. From this part of the coast, the 34 metres tall lighthouse, built by the British Resident Charles Napier on Vardiani Island, is visible.
The coast road north passes the Kipourean Monastery, which stands at the top of a 90-metre cliff, and another red sand beach at Platia Ammos (accessible by over 300 steps).
Vatsa
The bay of Vatsa was used since Roman times. An mosaic with a trident and dolphins from a Roman villa is displayed at the Archeological Museum of Kefalonia. The Venetians used the bay as a shipyard. A small river reaches the sea at this point on the coast (one of the two on Kefalonia) and can be crossed by a chain-anchored boat. The beach has a taverna immediately on the shore adjacent to the river. The Taverna has a thatched roof and the floor is beach sand. Most of the food in the taverna is grown in neighbouring fields.
Gero Gombos Lighthouse
Situated on the south west of Lixouri the original lighthouse was built in 1907. It was destroyed by German troops in the Second World War and rebuilt in 1947. The area offers stunning views and is a great location for the sunsets.
Fiskardo
Sit back and soak up the atmosphere in technicolour, look out over tranquil waters to northern Ithaca and Lefkada.
Fiskardo is located on the northern tip of Kefalonia and is built on cypress-covered hillsides around hairpin bays and small coves. The shingle beaches of Emblissi and Foki Bay are particularly lovely.
The name of the town derives from Robert Guiscard, who was a famous Norman leader and invader who died at sea in 1085 off the coast of Kefalonia. The village suffered less damage in the 1953 earthquake than most other villages due to a fault line and Venetian buildings still stand today, although many have been allowed to fall into serious disrepair.
Amongst some of the amazing sights to see in Fiskardo is the 19th century church, a stone sarcophagus and a depression in the rock measuring 2.3 metres deep, which the locals call “The throne of Queen Fiskarda”.
Many pre-historic developments have been discovered here, Mycenaean, Classical, Roman and Byzantine. Recent excavations have uncovered Mycenaean pottery and an extended Roman cemetery with interesting and valuable finds. The harbour is usually full of yachts and the quayside tavernas and cafes make a perfect spot for people watching. You may even spot the odd celebrity. Steven Spielberg, Madonna, Johnny Depp and Harrison Ford have all been visitors to the island!.
Assos
It’s not hard to drift back to years gone by, surround yourself in history.
North of Myrtos is Assos, which stands on a small peninsula. The 4km drive down to the village is very winding but worthwhile.
Assos is one of the most attractive villages on Kefalonia and retains much of its authentic character and charm. It was the capital of the North part of the island for many years and was also the seat of the second Venetian Governor of the island. The Venetian fort was used as a prison farm but today it is poorly maintained. Although only accessible on foot, the views from the 155m summit make the effort worthwhile (approximately 45 minutes walk). The beautiful setting of the village really is an artist’s dream. Both the harbour front and Paris Square, named in honour of the French funding which paid for the rebuilding of the village after the war, have a few tavernas and there are some cafes adjacent to the small shingle village beach. Although mostly in ruins now, there remain a number of
grand Venetian houses.
Myrtos beach
The perfect place to relax and rejuvenate throughout the day and soak up the sun until it sinks into the changing colours of the sea.
From the Paliki peninsula, turn left to drive north along the west coast road. In the village of Divarata, a sign-posted turn leads to the stunning Myrtos Beach where the pebbles and shingle shelves very steeply into the water. Sunbeds are available and there is a small cantina offering snacks and drinks. Myrtos is best viewed from the road further north of Divarata where the full effect of the turquoise water lapping the white pebbles can be appreciated.
Melissani Lake
The Katavothres phenomenon encapsulating beauty.
From Agia Efemia, head south along the coast in the direction of Sami, passing lots of small shingle coves. At the village of Karavomilos, take the sign-posted right turn to visit the subterranean Melissani Lake with its crystal clear water sparkling in the sunlight which pours in through the hole in the cavern roof. The lake is over 20 metres deep in parts and in the 1960’s a team of archaeologists discovered a clay figurine of Pan. Recent speculation suggests that the Melissani Lake is the “Cave of the Nymphs” described in the Odyssey.The water from the Melissani Lake drains down into in the nearby Lake Karavomilos, where there is a small water wheel, and on out to sea. Water can also been seen bubbling out from the rocks on the coast in this area.